Mariners, Cruz Nearing Contract

Two people with knowledge of the deal say the Mariners and free agent slugger Nelson Cruz are nearing agreement on a contact that would give Seattle the right-handed bat it has sought. The people spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on the condition of anonymity because the deal between Cruz and the Mariners had not been finalized and was pending a physical. El Caribe in the Dominican Republic

Seattle Routs D-III Pacific Lutheran 72-33

Jarell Flora scored 16 points and Seattle routed Pacific Lutheran 72-33 on Monday.
Pacific Lutheran, a Division III member, led once at 4-2. Isiah Umipig hit a 3-pointer on the next possession and PLU never challenged again. Umipig hit another trey with 7:51 in the half and Seattle led 43-21 at intermission.
The onslaught continued after the break. PLU's Garth West scored the first bucket of the half, then the Lutes missed their next six shots over 8:38 as Seattle built a 57-23 lead. PLU was held to 12 points in the second half and was 12 of 52 (23 percent) for the game, 2 of 23 on 3-point attempts.
Jack Crook scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Seattle (3-3). Manroop Clair had 12 points and Umipig, who's averaging 19.6 this season, finished with 11 points and didn't play after the 15:47 mark of the second half. KENT, Wash. (AP) – December 2, 2014

Juninho's Goal Puts Galaxy Into MLS Cup Final

Clint Dempsey had a goal and assist in the first half to give Seattle the lead, but Juninho's tiebreaking road goal early in the second half sent the Los Angeles Galaxy to the MLS Cup final for the ninth time in franchise history after their Western Conference final with the Seattle Sounders ended 2-2 on aggregate.

Cougars Fire Defensive Coordinator, LB Coach

Washington State has fired defensive coordinator Mike Breske and outside linebackers coach Paul Volero after the Cougars finished 3-9 with a loss to Washington in the Apple Cup.
The school confirmed both coaches had been let go by coach Mike Leach on Sunday night. Fox Sports first reported the firings.
The Cougars finished 10th in the Pac-12 in scoring defense and were particularly vulnerable in the secondary. Washington State was 11th in pass defense and often couldn't get the stops to help the offense. The Cougars had only one interception after Sept. 13. It was a significant step back after the defense was a strength during Leach's second season.
Both Breske and Volero had been with Leach since he came to Washington State before the 2012 season. PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) – December 1, 2014

Eastern Washington Races By Eastern Oregon 104-87

Venky Jois scored a career-high 38 points and Ognjen Miljkovic and Tyler Harvey scored 23 apiece to lead Eastern Washington to a 104-87 win over Eastern Oregon on Sunday.
Jim Hayford picked up his 300th win as a head coach while the Eagles are 6-1 for the first time in 37 years.
Bryan McGriff had 32 points and 10 rebounds and De'Sean Mattox had 27 points and nine assists for the Mountaineers.
EWU, up 53-45 at halftime, shot 56.3 percent from the field, going 36 of 64, and made 26 of 29 free throws.
Eastern Oregon was 14 of 28 on 3-pointers but went 15 of 35 inside the arc as Jois blocked four shots. CHENEY, Wash. (AP) – December 1, 2014